University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

[The apartment of Bianca. Fiametta embroidering, and the page thrumming his guitar.]
PAGE.

I'd give my greyhound now—gold collar and silken leash—to know why the Duke sent for my lady.

FIAMETTA.

Would you, Master Curiosity?

PAGE.

Mistress Pert, I would—and thy acquaintance into the bargain.

FIAMETTA.

Better keep the goods you come honestly by. I would you knew as well how your mistress came by you.

PAGE.

I came to her from heaven—like her taste for my music. (Hums a tune.)

FIAMETTA.
Did you! do they make sacks in heaven?

PAGE.

There's a waiting woman's question for you! Why sacks?

FIAMETTA.

Because I think you came in one, like a present of a puppy-dog.

PAGE.

Silence, dull pin-woman! here comes my mistress!

[Takes off his cap as Bianca enters. She walks across the stage without heeding her attendants.]
BIANCA.
To marry Sforza!
My dream come true! my long, long cherish'd dream!
The star come out of heaven that I had worshipp'd!
The paradise I built with soaring fancy
And filled with rapture like a honey-bee
Dropp'd from the clouds at last! Am I awake?
Am I awake, dear Giulio!

PAGE.
(Half advancing to her.)
Noble Mistress!

BIANCA.
Thank God they speak to me! It is no dream!
It was this hand my father took to tell me—
It was with these lips that I tried to speak—
It was this heart that beat its giddy prison
As if th' exulting joy new-sprung within it
Would out and fill the world! [OMITTED]
[OMITTED] Wed him to-morrow!
So suddenly a wife! Will it seem modest,
With but twelve hours of giddy preparation
To come a bride to church? Will he remember
I was ten years ago affianced to him?
I have had time to think on't! Oh, I'll tell him—
When I dare speak I'll tell him—how I've lov'd him!
And day and night dream'd of him, and thro' all
The changing wars treasured the solemn troth
Broke by my father! If he listens kindly,
I'll tell him how I fed my eyes upon him
In Venice at his triumph—when he walk'd
Like a descended god beside the Doge,
Who thanked him for his victories, and the people,
From every roof and balcony, by thousands
Shouted out “Sforza! Live the gallant Sforza!”
I was a child then—but I felt my heart
Grow, in one hour, to woman!

PAGE.
Would it please you
To hear my new song, Lady?

BIANCA.
No, good Giulio!
My spirits are too troubled now for music.
Get thee to bed! Yet stay! hast heard the news?

PAGE.
Is't from the camp?

BIANCA.
Ay—Sforza's taken prisoner!

PAGE.
I'm vex'd for that!

BIANCA.
Why vex'd?

PAGE.
In four years more
I shall bear sword and lance. There'll be no Sforza
To kill when I'm a man! Who took him, Lady?

BIANCA.
A blind boy, scarcely bigger than yourself;
And gave him, bound, to me! In brief, dear Giulio!
Not to perplex those winking eye-lids more,
The wars are done, and Sforza weds to morrow
Your happy mistress!

PAGE.
Sforza! We shall have
A bonfire then!

BIANCA.
Ay—twenty!

PAGE.
And you'll live
Here in the palace, and have masks and gambols
The year round, will you not?

BIANCA.
My pretty minion,
You know not yet what love is! Love's a miser,
That plucks his treasure from the prying world
And grudges e'en the eye of daylight on it!
Another's look is theft—another's touch
Robs it of all its value. Love conceives
No paradise but such as Eden was
With two hearts beating in it.
[Leaves the Page and walks thoughtfully away.]
Oh, I'll build
A home upon some green and flow'ry isle
In the lone lakes, where we will use our empire
Only to keep away the gazing world.
The purple mountains and the glassy waters
Shall make a hush'd pavillion with the sky,
And we two in the midst will live alone,
Counting the hours by stars and waking birds,
And jealous but of sleep! To bed, dear Giulio!
And wake betimes.

PAGE.
Good night, my dearest Lady!

BIANCA.
To bed, Fiametta! I have busy thoughts,
That needs will keep me waking.

FIAMETTA.
Good night, Lady!

BIANCA.
Good night, good night! The moon has fellowship
For moods like mine! I'll forth upon the terrace,
And watch her while my heart beats warm and fast.